Variable-speed gearing



June 12, 1928. 1 1,672,868

w. s. F. BRowN Er AL VARIABLE SPEED GEARI'NG` File@ Dec. 29, 1925 s sheets-sneer 1 N d u 1i m?. 'q--u--R E l 1| v l0 I :l kf i 1 5g k3 N l Y n *E w s ATTORNEYS June 12, 1928. 1,672,868

Y W. S. F. BROWN ET AL VARIABLE SPEED GEARING Filed Dec. 29,- 1923 s sheets-sheet 2 lNvENToRs: :5i/@Manu WMM l HY mm 07% ATTORNEYS. l

Junc l2, 1928. Y

w. s. F. aRowN Er AL VARIABLE SPEED erhmmm;v

5 sheets-sheet 3 Filed Dec. 29, 1923 INVEANTORS l @am a am Anemia/3,

a controlling Patented June 12, 1928. e

UNITED STAT 1,672,86s- Es PATENT OFFICE..

WESTGARTH STANHOPE FORSTER BROWN AND JOSEPH MAINA, OFLONDON, ENGLAND.

t VARIABLE-SPEED GEARING.

Application led `December 29, 1923, Serial No.

This invention relates to epicyclic variable speed gearing of the type comprising sun and planet pinions, the `latter meshing with geared wheels adapted to be locked for the purpose of obtaining different speeds.

In an epicyclic variable 4speed gear made in accordancewith this invention, an epicyclic gear of this type is provided, characterized by a single planet-ary cage onwhich are mounted one or more gears one or more of which are formed in one With the planetary cage and one or more being adapted to rotate freely thereon, and further characterized in'that one or more geared Wheels or groups of geared Wheels are provided with external teeth. y A

Further, in an epicyclio gear made in accordancewith this invention, we provide a reduction gearobtained through the medium of one or more single e icyclic groups of gear (acting Within a sing e planetary cage), each group being constituted by a plurality of satellite pinions or sets of satellite pinions,;meshing with a plurality of sun pinions mounted solid on a commonshaftand therefore having the same angularr speed.

Further, in an epicyclic gear made in accordance with this invention We provide a reverse member mounted to `rotate freely on the shaft and means for retarding said reverse member or for preventing the said reverse member from rotating in order to obtain the reverse in combination with means for causing the said reverse member to `rotate With the shaft or with the planetaryv cage or any of the geared Wheels by clutching it thereto or otherwise in order to obtain the direct. drive. y

And further, in an epicyclic gearmade in accordance With this invention We provide device comprising means for selectively engaging a lay shaft With the reverse member or with the geared Wheel or` one of the geared wheels, means for braking the lay shaft to a stationary part of the gear to prevent the rotation of either the reverse member or one of the geared Wheels, means whereby the depression of a clutch pedal or the like ivill disengage both the brake controlling the rotation of the lay shaft and the clutch engaging the reverse member, means whereby the axial sliding or other movement of a gear lever or the like will engage,v the lay shaft With either the reverse member or one of the geared Wheels, means wherebyA 683,316, and in Great Britain January 3, 1923.

radial or other movement of said gear lever will allow the reverse member to be engaged with its clutch, and means whereby said radial or other movementof said gear lever can only take place when the pinion on the lay shaft is disengaged that is to say, when the gear is in neutral position.

A particular` arrangement of epicyclic gearing, constructed according to this invention, comprises, generally speaking, a plurality of pinions secured solid to the driving shaft, each pinion engaging a group of satellites, single or compound, each group of satellites meshing with a geared Wheel; the geared Wheels may be independent or two or more may be rigidly interconnected; one or more geared wheel or Wheels is or are provided with external teeth adapted to engage the pinion of a controlling shaft.

The planetary cageis preferably provided with vone or more cylindrical flanges, the outer peiipheries of which form bearing surfaces ivhich engage the extremities of the internal teeth of the free geared Wheel or Wheels. The cylindrical flange or flanges cover the satellite pinions and are provided with slots through which extend the parts of the satellite pinions that engage the geared wheel or Wheels. b

`Referring to the drawings led herewith, which illustrate as an example one particular constructie-n of epicyclic gear made according to this invention Fig. l is a sectional elevation of one form of gear made in accordance with this inven` tion for use asa ear gear;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan on line 2-2 of Fig. l, and i Fig. Bis a transverse section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; V i

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 4-4 of Fig.- l; y i

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation of the cani operating they direct speed.

. In the arrangement of, epicyclic `gear shown in the figures. enclosed in the casing a, Z) `is the driving shaft, mounted on bearings 01, c2. Integral with or solidly mounted onthe shaft arethree pinions d, e and each one of which is adapted to engage one group of satellites. The pinion d engagesthe group of satellites g, g, mounted to rotate freely on pins h, nintegral with or `carried by a flanged element Z formed at the end of the driven shaft m, and recessed at n to receive the bearings c1 as titl shown. The satellites g, g` engage an internal gear 0. The pinion e engages the group of satellites p, p mounted to rotate freely on bearings g, q, carried by the. planetary cage made of two parts T1 and T2, secured together. The satellites p, p engage an internal gear a. The pinion f engages the group of'satcllites t, t, mounted'to rotate freely on -pins u, u, integral with or carried by a reverseelement fv, freely mounted on the shaft b. The satellites t, t engage an internal gear crown lw.

The two gears and fw are integral with or secured to the two parts T1, T2, of the planetary cage respectively, while the gear s is integral with or secured to a ring' memberI carried by the planetary cage T1, T2 and adapted to revolve freely thereon.

The two parts of the planetarycage T1 and T1' are bolted together and kept in true alignment by a spigot y V(shown in detail in Fig. 4), machined with two segmental projections F1, e1, act-ing as ldistance pieces between the two parts T1 and T2 to provide an annular space in which the ring element carrying the gear 8 operates. e1 and .figaro recessed'or. partly removed at 1, 1, so as to leave ak space where the satellites 79, p operate. The bearings g, g of the satellites p, p are mounted in housings machined out of`the parts T1, T2 of the planetary cage. The two parts of the planetary cage, T1, T2, are each provided withpbearings or bushes and the cage is adapted to rotate freely on the shaft Z); The ring member the part T2 of the planetary cage, and the reverse member fv, are each provided with external teeth 2, 3, 4 respectively, the pitch circle of which have preferably the samel diameter. l

The reverse member, o is mounted to rotate freely on the shaft b; this reverse member carries the external teeth.4 on its periphery, and an internal cone surface 5 forming the driven component ofa clutch 6.

7 is the driving member of the clutch 6 and is adapted to slide on the shaft. b the rotation ofk which is transmitted by keys 8, 8.

The controlling gear comprises a lay shaft 1() mounted in bearings 11, a. pinion 12 adapted to slide along and rotate with the shaft. 10; and al clutch brake 13 the external cone member of which is adapted to-slide on the shaft 10 and rotate therewith.

18 is a selector rod adapted by means of'a fork 19 to slide the pinion 12 into engagement with either of the teeth 2, 3, 4 as desired, or to maintain it in neutral position between any ofthe said teeth 2, 3 or 4. The fork 19 is mounted between two collars and is provided with a boss projection engaging a channelled groove 41 and adaptedtostop in positions determined bv spring locking pins 42 engaging notches 43 or chambers 44;

One end of the selector rod 18 is splined and adapted to slide ina broaehed'sleeve 20 held against axial movement by and adapted to rotate in* a recess 21 in the casing a. is a cam formed on the sleeve 2O adapted to operate a' bell crank lever 23 mounted loosely on a shaft 24, said Vbell crank lever being adapted to withdraw the driving member 7 of the clutch 6 against the operation of a spring 25. Keyed to the shaft 24 is a` crank 26 adapted to slide the conemember 15 on theshaft 10 to disenthe clutch brake 13. The shaft 24 is adapted be to rotatedl by the usualclutch pedal of the carv or the like, and is provided with a key 27' disposed within a slot 28 in the bell crank lever 23. l

iVhen the clutch pedal depressedthe key 27 engages a face 29 on, the bell crank lever and actuate's it to disengage the clutch 6.

Attached to onev end of the selector rod 18 an operating lever 30. On the selector rod 18 a longitudinal groove 31 is out to act as a guide for the axial movement of the rod through engagement with a'screw 32. 33 and 34 are circumferential grooves branching from tlie'longitudinal groove 31 which allow rotary movement of thev rod 18when the pinion is in la disengaged positicnbetween the teeth 2, 3 or` 4.

In operation movement is transmitted to the driven shaft m by controlling the crown 0 which can be maintained stationary, or

can be caused to rotate in the same direc-V tion as and at a slower speed than the shaft or in the reverse direction tothe shaft b, in order to obtain the first, intermediate and reverse speeds respectively. The direct drive is obtained by locking the reverse member o to the shaft b by means ofthe clutch 6.

To stop the crown o in order to obtain the first speed, the pinion 12'(Fig. 2) is moved to engage the teeth ofthe crown 3 on the planetary cage, andthe shafty 10 is prevented form rotating by engaging the clutch brake 13.

To cause the crown 0 to rotate in the same direction as the shaft b', and thereby obtain the interinediate speed, the ring a: is prevented from rotating by bringing the pinion 12 into engagement with the crown 2on the ring This causesthe planetary cage to rotate. To cause the crown o to travel in the reverse direction to the shaft I) and thereby obtain a reverse speed, the pinion 12 'is brought into engagement with the external teeth 4 of the reverse` member o'.

To cause the clutch 6 to engage, in order to obtain a direct drive, the selector rod 18 is moved axially so that the pinion 12 is in neutral position and it is then moved radiali lll , ation ofthe clutch.`

to take the thrust from the clutch members.`

i internal spur' ly to rotate the sleeve 20 to move the cam 22 act on the member 7.` i i Depression of the clutchpedal will 1n all cases disconnect the` drive from the shaft m as italways disconnects the clutch brakeY 13, and, when the gear is indirect drive, it also causes the key 27to engage the surface 29 thereby actuating the bell crank lever 23 to disengage the clutch 6. y i WVhen the gear is not in direct clutch 6 is held on the sleeve 20.

`Theslot 2S in the bell crank lows theclutch pedal toI be raised Without engaging the clutch 6 when it is maintained in, the disengaged position by the cam 22, the key 27 in this case sliding freely in said slot 28. o n w i The clutch 6 cannot be engaged While the pinion 12 is in engagement With any of the crown Wheels asfits movements are controlled by the screw 32 engagingithegrooves 31,33-or 34. Otherintermediate speeds can be obtained by allowing the .clutch brake 131:0 slip;

`The advantage of the arrangen'ient of the clutches 6 and l3iis that there is a high relative'speed between the two components of disengagedby the cam 22 the clutches before "engagement, which features We have found to give improved oper- `Arrangement` is made The gear casingis constructed to contain oil, and oil retaining devices necessary. i v i i y i In gears as above,i\ve obtain one ,reverse gear and three forward gears, one of which is direct drive. W'here preferablewe employ more than two trains of epieyelic gearing to obtain a further number of gear ratios. i w N Having now particularly deseribedfand ascertained the nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is tobe` per'- formed, We declare that what We claim is l. In variablefspeed epicyclie gearing of the typedescribed, a to be driven, a plurality of central pinions having the same `angular speed fast on said driving shaft, a planetary cage `enclosing said pinions, internal and external spur gears on saidfcaga` satellite pinions situatedi and said central pinionsand A gears, a` flanged dise for ref operating between verse driving mounted to rotate freely on said driving shaft said satellite pinions,an external spur gear on` said iianged` disc, a clutcliadapted to engage said disc, a second flangeddisc on the' shaft to be driven carrying one group .of

said satellite pinions, a lay shaft, means for selectively engaging the lay shaft with one of said external spur gears for reduced speed and reversedrives, a brake for locking said drive theV lever r23' alsaid cage, all of said groups being may `be used when may driving shaft, `a shaft and carrying a group of lay shaft toa stationary partiof the gearing int-o a positionvf'hich allows the spring 25 to tot` prevent the rotationof either the firstmentioned flanged disc or of the planetary cage, mean-s for disengaging the brake and y clutch, a gearlever, means whereby the axial onlyitake place when the lay shaft is not in engagement with any of the external spur gears i i 2.In variable speedepicyclic gearing of the type described, a driving shaft, a shaft to be driven, a plurality of central pinions havingvthe same angular speed fast on said driving shaft, a planetary cage enclosing said pinions, internal and external spur gears on said cage, a fianged disc freely mounted on thedriving shaft, a plurality of groups of satellite pinions, oneiof said groups being pivoted on the driven member, one on i said flanged `disc and the other groups to androperating between said central pinions and internal spur gears, means for preventing said `flanged disc from rotating when it is desired to rotate the driven shaft in a reverse direction, and means for causingr said discto rotate Withthefshaft when it is desired to'obtain a direct drive.

3; In variable speed epieyelie gearing of thegtype described,` a driving shaft, a shaft to -be driven, a plurality of central pinions having the, same angular speed fast on said driving shaft, a planetary cage enclosing said pinions, internal and external spur gears on saidccage, a anged disc freely mounted on the driving shaft, a plurality of groups of satellite pinions, one of said groups beingr pivoted on the driven member, one onsaid flanged dise and the other groups to` said cage, all of said groups being situated and operating between said central pinions and internal spur gears, `means for preventing 4. In variable speed epicycliegearing of the ytype described, a driving shaft, a shaft to be driven, a plurality of central pinions` having the same angular ,y speed fast on said driving shaft, a planetary cage enclosing said pinions, internal and external spur gearson said cage, a fianged disc freely mountedV on the driving shaft, a plurality of groups of i, satellite pimons, one of said situated i `lili lil tral pinions anlinternal spur gears, means forfpreventingsaidl disc trom rot-ating wheny it is desired. to. rotate 'the driven shaftin atreverse direction, and means: lor causing said disc to rotate with the sha-ft when it is desired to obtain a directl d'rivethe speed;y

of the planetary cage carrying` the gear which engages that grou ot' satellites plvoted on-said driven mem er, and the variation in speed ol' said cage, being obtained by z the braking ofi anyone of said. externalspur gears.

5t In variable speed epicyclic gearing of the type described, a driving shafta shaft to beA driven, a plurality ol' centralV pinions having the same an ular speed fast on said driving shaft, aV p anetaryy cage, internal spurA gears on. said; cage, a rmg member carriediby, and-adaptedtonevolve on;sa1d cage,

anint'ernal spur gearxon'jsaid: ring member, dise mounted to rotate freely on a flanged said driving-shaft, aA clutch adaptedto en.- gage said. langeddisc to-lock it tothe driving shaft, `external teethon saidi cageringr member and flanged disc respectively, satel'- -lite pinions carried: by said cage, driven memberV andy `flanged. disc respectively and' situated andoperatring between said central pinions and internal sp ur-gears,ia luyfshat, meanstor selectively engaging the lay shaft with vthe external' teeth of either the cage,

ring, or-flanged dise, a. brake for preventing therot'ation of said lay shaft to hold either theplunetary cage, the ring member or the'` ilanged'disc stationary,.and means for simultaneously. disengaging both lthe brake and clutch.

G. In variable speed epi'cyelic gearin off the type described, a driving shaft, a s aft to be driven, a plurality of central pinions having the same-'angular speed fast onA said driving shaft, a. planetary cage, cylindrical flanges on said cage, internal spur gearson f'aid cage, aring member carried by said flanges and adapted to revolve on saldi cage, aninternal spur gear on said: ring member, a flanged disc `mounted to rotatev freely on said driving shaft, a clutch adapted toengage said flanged disc to look itz to the driving shaft, external teeth on said cage, ring member and flanged' disc respectively, satellite pinions carried bv said cage, driven member andi flanged iso respectively and situatedI and operating between saidjcentral pinions and internal spur gears, a lay shaft, means for selectively engaging the lay shaft with the externa-l teeth 4of either the cage, ring, or flanged disc, a brake for preventing the rotation ofA said lay shaft to hold either the planetary. cage, the ring member or the flanged: disc-stationary, and' means for simultaneously disengaging both the brake and clutch.` i

7. In variable speed epicyclic. gearln vof the type deserbed,a. driving.` shaft, a; s aft to be driven, a plurality of central; pinions having the same an lair-speed fast onf said driving: shaft, a p 'anetmry cage, v internal spur gears on said cage, a ringnmember'carried byand adapted to Involve on said cage,- an internal spur vgear oni said;v ring member, a ilanged disc mounted: to rotatel Jfreely on said driving shaft, a clutch adaptedito engage said langed disc to ing; shaft, external teethl on saidv cage, ring member, and: flanged dise res eetively,.satel lite pinions earned by' sai cage, driven member, and flanged` disc respectively and' situated and operating between said-central pinions and internal spur gears, a lay shaft, means for selectively engaging. the lay shaft with the external teethkr ofeither the cage, ringor flangeddisc, a. brake for braking said' lay shaft` to a stationary part ofA they appa-v ratus to prevent the rotation of. either the cage, the ring member or. the flanged disc, means forv simultaneously disengaging both the brake and' clutch, and means for automat-icallyz reventringthe engagement of theJ clutcha vvhile the lay shaft isinfengagement with any of said external teeth.

8, An l arrangement of variable speed epicyolie ear of the type describedi compris-` ing-a riving shaft, a. driven shaft, several pinionsf` carried' by said driving-- shaft,V a group o'satellitesforieaoh pinion: adapted to mesh therewith, pins supporting 'said' sat'- ellites, a planetary cage, 'a4 plurality of,l gear elements carried by saidmagewith the inter'-v nal teeth ofV which-seid'fsatellites continuous#- ly mesh, a clutch adapted to rotate with said' driving'shat', a. flanged disel mounted' freely on the driving shaft but adapted to be connected! with vsaid' clutcli and supporting the first group ofsatellites, and a second ilanged disc integral with the'driven shaft support-- ing the pins' of the last group o f satellites, the pins of satellites ofthel intermediate groups being' supported` by the planetary cage.

9. An arrangement of variable speed epi@-` cyclic gear of the type describedi comprising a: driving shaft. a shaft' to bedriven, severall pinions carried by said driving shaft, a groupof satellites for; each pinion adapted to mesh therewith, pins supporting said sat'- ellites, a planetary cage constituted by two' crowns solidly coupled together but sepa-` rated by an intervening annular space, a' ring member disposed in' saidspace and bearing freel on peril'iheral'V flanges formed on saidfcoupled crowns, a plurality of gear elements carried byfsaidA cageand' ringmem'- ber with? the internal' teeth ofr which. said satellitescontinuously mesh; a clutchadaptedl to rotate with-'said driving shaft, a'

lock it to the drivy flan ed disc mounted freely on the driving shait butl adapted to be connected With said clutch and supporting the first group of said satellites, and a second flanged disc integral With the driven shaft supporting the pins of the last group of said satellites, the pins of the satellites of the intermediate groups being supported by the planetary cage.

10.` An arrangement of variable speed epicyclio gear of the type described comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, several pinions carried by said driving shaft, a group of satellites for each pinion adapted to mesh therewith, pins supporting said satellites, a planetary cage con'iprising a plurality of parts solidly coupled together and separated by an annular space, an independent ring member located in said space, gear elements carried by said cage andring member with the internal teeth o'f Whichsaid satellites continuously mesh, acluteh adapted to rotate with said driving shaft, a tlanged disc mounted freely on the main shaft but adapted to be connected With said clutch and supporting the first g'roup of satellites, and a second flanged .disc integral with the driven shaft supporting the pins of the last group of satellites, the pins of the satellites of the intermediate groups being supported by the planetary cage, external teeth on the ring member, planetary cage and first mentioned flanged disc, a sliding pinion adapted to engage said teeth, and a device for controlling such engagement.

1l. In variable speed epicyclic gearing of the type described, a driving shaft, a shaft to be driven, a plurality of central pinions having the same angular speed fixed `to one of said shafts,` a planetary cage enclosing said pinions, concentric internal and external spur gears on said cage, a disc freely mounted on the shaft to which the said eentral pinions are fixed, a. plurality of satellite i pinions, one of said Apinions being carried by theother shaft, one by said disc and another by said cage, and the pinions all meshing permanently with said central pinions` and said internal spur gears, means for preventing said disc from rotating when it is de.- sired to obtain a reverse drive, and means for causing said disc to rotate with its shaft when it is desired to obtain a direct drive. In witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands. n

WESTGARTH STANHOPE FORSTER BROWN.

JOSEPH MAINA. 

